Checking in! Hope you are all well
Hi!
Crawling out of the woodwork, so to speak! I feel like it has been ages since I have checked in!!
I hope everyone is having a wonderful musical journey!!
I have been insanely busy on campus teaching math by day, and my piano studio is up to 21! Soon to be 23 once the twins get a piano/keyboard. I have to learn how to say no, but I enjoy teaching so much.
I have 3 students playing in a Sonata contest here in San Diego's Local MTAC Chapter in November. One is playing Beethoven Opus 49 No2 the first movement, and the other two are playing beginning Sonatinas. But, they are so excited to have the opportunity to play on stage.
I am officially an international teacher. One student treks up from Mexico each week, and another student I have is a Chinese foreign exchange student from my day job. I am so grateful!
Of my 21, only one is online because he has asthma and his mom does not want to risk any exposure to Covid-19. Unfortunately, his progress seems to be the slowest, even though he has been with me the longest.
I have continued my lessons with Brendan Nguyen - every 2 weeks he kicks my butt - so to speak. But, I have managed to memorize... yes, memorize, the first movement of Beethoven's 25th Sonata Opus 79 Presto all tedesca - this is HUGE for me because I have not memorized a darned thing of note since my college days.
I honestly miss being able to join live streams so very much, but unfortunately my schedule does not line up. Hopefully during my breaks I can hope in.
I would love to hear what you are working on!
CHEERS!
~Denise in Chula Vista, CA (San Diego - of you have no idea where Chula Vista is ;-) )
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Denise, so good to hear from you!!
I hope your students are having fun with the sonata contest!
Congratulations on memorizing the op.49 no2! It's a lot of fun to play from memory, and for me it allows me to focus more deeply on the music.
I am working on Mozart sonata in am K310, the Brahms monthly challenge, Goldberg variations (you can see we have a group in here),some of my own pieces, some improvisation, and some pieces with choirs for concerts coming up before Christmas. And I have to practice drums and singing :)
All the best,
Sindre
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Thank you, Sindre! All three received Honorable Mention. Poor Alex! He has a Kawai. I teach on a Baldwin L. It was his first time playing on a Steinway... and his first time playing anywhere other than at home or here. The sheer length of the stencil threw him, he started an octave below middle c. It totally threw him. :-( The judge let him begin again, but he was not en pointe. However, he was the youngest in the category that we could tell. HE definitely learned a life lesson that day. And I never would have thought something like a stencil would throw him! He is usually rock solid. The other two did well also. The judges were kind in their notes. All and all, a good experience, and they are are ready to go again next year!! Now I will be prepping 5 of my students for California's Certificate of Merit Testing, my first time... theirs too!
Here is a link to my website that shows a group class with my sig other helping me coach them before the contest if you are interested. :-) https://lepardpiano.com/sonata-conest
I have been so busy, it's been insane. My new teacher keeps me on my toes. After memorize Beethoven Sonata 25 op 79 first movement, finishing up bringing it to tempo and polishing, he wants me to perform it for a group class, which scares the daylights out of me. Besides working (teaching at secondary/high school) and having 20 piano students, I have submitted resumes to move to another school that has a better pay, so I will be moving in January. I seriously have had no time to myself other than practice!
I really wish I had more time to devote to Tonebase! I am looking forward to Christmas break where I can catch up!
I hope you are well!Perhaps one day I will graduate up to a Goldberg Variation, but for now I am still working through all of the two part inventions. hehe (not so well either... counterpoint is my nemesis).
Take care!
Denise
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Hello Denise so great to hear from you! Glad to hear how busy and fulfilling your work is! Congratulations to your students, and yes join us again for livestreams/challenges anytime.
I recently release my latest album of Liszt/Schubert Transcriptions! Feel free to check it out on spotify or any streaming platform!
Spotify link:
https://open.spotify.com/album/5EJVYLN45FNchpCy9VLn4i
Other Links:
Thanks for checking in :)
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Dominic Cheli I see you will be in La Jolla in April! I will see if we can make it! The venue is great!!
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Wow, I'll check it out.
